The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-31
LoNGsrREEr IN PEACE.
A Visit to his Home-A Quiet Farm House or
the Summit of a Mountain.

A Visit to his Home-A Quiet Farm House on
the Summit of a Mountain.
Atlanta Letter.
Twenty-Five years ago Gen. James Longstreet
nan of blood The object of his life
was the slaughter of men.
What change has come! Perfect peace sur
rounds the old soldier in the evening of his
life.
A quiet farm house stands on tae summit of a
mountain ridge in North Georgia. Before it lies
the valley of the Chattahoochee The ground
descends rapidly, and from the home OF Long
street one looks down upon the tree-tops. For
miles and miles stretches restless sea or green,
famed this way and that way by the mountain
winds. Beyond rises range OF hills, and fur
ther still are the Blue Ridge mountains darkly
outlined against the sky.
AS approached the house few days ago /
sign of life pickaninny in the
horse lot and some very fne-looking chickens in
the yard.
The large double doors at the front of the
house stood half open. There was bell, so
knocked. There was no response, so knocked
again My next rap, 1t seemed to me, was
enough to loosen the plastering in the hall.
Still there was no response. At that moment
caught sound of snore.
There is life in the old land yet. 1 thought,
as | made effort to awaken the snorer
But the more l knocked the louder did the
snorer snore. grew tired and quit knocking.
turned from the door and looked upon the
beautiful and peaceful scene stretching away TO
where the sky touched the mountain tops. 1
was so vexed that wanted to throw rock at
knocking bird singing in a big sycamore near by.
Turning to the door again put all my strength
into one terrible crash against the door. There
sudden sound of one awakening inside
the house and Lees old war horse" came
down the hall to meet me. His hair silver.
His whiskers were snow! His giant figure was
somewhat bent, but his eagle eye still flashed
with the old-t fire. and years had only deep
ened the strong lines in his face. He was dressed
for comfort. He did not that his collar
was awry; that mis- vest adorned chair-post;
that his alpaca coat was ripped up the back
He did not that his slippers went flap.
flap, flap" against his heels as he walked. did
not care, either.
Nobody here to-day bnt me-" said the old
warrior, as he showed me into the library, where
he had been sleeping lounge 1spent a
quiet afternoon with my old friend He talked
TO me about war. and showed me his old confed-
crate uniform.
II shall put it on some day and have my pict-
ure taken" he said.
Have you had enough of warp I asked.
Eyes, plenty my account" he replied;
but if France and Germany should come to
blows would ike to go over and see Won Moltke
fight"
General Longstreet is wonderfully like the
pictures of Emperor William A friend travel
ing in Europe sent him a large photograph of
the German Emperor. and Mrs Longstreets
cook believes to this day it is a picture of her
'Marse Jeems."
The Generals fortune is rather small, but ne
lives comfortably. He divides his time between
a vineyard and history which he is writ
ing. The history will be out in about year. 1t
Will contain very startling statements
about the late war. The book will be made up
mainly of accounts of adventures in the wars in
which General Longstreet has taken part. Gen.
Longstreet is charming in conversation. though
he is very deaf. Mrs. Longstreet is a
vivacious little lady. and of course. quite
proud of the General. Her maiden
was Maria Louise Garland and her parents
lived in Virginia Gen. and Mrs. Longstreet
have five children-four sons and daughter
The Oldest son. Maj John Lonestreet. in
the war at fifteen, and is now twenty-seven
years old. The other sons are Robert Lee. born
IN Petersburg in 1863; James, born in Lynch
burg in 1886, and Fitz Randolph. born in Lynch
burg in 1863. The daughter, Miss Maria Louise
Longsrreet, now fourteen years DID, was born in
Flint. Mich. General Longstreet was born about
a mile from Augusta, Ga, on the South Carolina
side of the Savannah river. He is 81 xty five
years old, is in splendid health, AID bids fair to
live many years yet.